Working animals' rights: A disruption to the status quo. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shaw, Rosemary
• Is Part Of: Alternative law journal. Volume 42:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 130
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: animal rights -- animal welfare -- greyhounds -- work health and safety legislation; Law -- Australia -- Periodicals; Law -- Social aspects -- Australia -- Periodicals; Law reform -- Australia -- Periodicals; 349.94
• DOI: 10.1177/1037969X17710626
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1037-969X

Abstract

This article presents a thought project on how the law ought to treat working animals. The author argues that work health and safety legislation needs to take a fresh, contemporary and inclusive approach which challenges our anthropocentric mentality and recognises those animals that contribute to our economy through work. A critical reading of key sections of Australia's model work health and safety legislation, as a representative example of contemporary work health and safety law, supports the contention working animals should be included as 'workers' under such laws.